Reclining chairs



Feb. 16, 1960 J. I. WlNlCK RECLINING CHAIRS v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 28, 1956 Inventor BY k W Attorney;

Feb. 16, 1960 J. 1. WlNlCK RECLINING cx-mms 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1956 w 11 verglor By k Attorneys United States, PatentO RECLINING CHAIRS Jack Isaac Winick, London, England, assignor to Research Interests Limited, London, England Application September 28, 1956, Serial No. 612,663

Claims priority, application Great Britain December 20, 1955 2 Claims. or. 155-416 This invention relates to reclining chairs embodying a tilting back and a tilting seat interconnected in a manner such that the front end of the seat rises automatically as the back is tilted rearwardly, and in which the said seat and back can be caused to stay in any desired intermediate position of adjustment within the limits of the tilting mechanism.

Heretofore, in chairs of this kind, relatively complicated linkage has been used to secure the required relative movement of the seat and back, which linkage.

was not only relatively costly but when applied to fireside or like open chairs was usually visible beneath the seat and was thus detrimental to the appearance of the cha r. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified action or mechanism which dispenses with the use of linkages and avoids the shortcomings above mentioned, and which can be construced pins on the back, with the upper pin being spaced from.

the lower pin. Means provide a substantially vertical slot and a downwardly and forwardly extending inclined slot, with the pins being guidingly engaged in and movable along the slots. The length of the slots and the spacing of the pins are selected relative to each other such that the upper pin is at the upper end of the vertical slot and the lower pin is at the upper end of the inclined slot in the; sitting position and such that the upper pin is at the lower end of the vertical slot and the lower pin is at the, lower end of the inclined slot in the reclining position. The pins and slots cooperate to provide .a forward and downward movement of both the back and the rear end of the seat in response to reclining movement ofthe back. Seat control means are provided between a portion of the seat' spaced from the rear end and-the frame for guiding the seat -'in response to'the' forward and downward movement of the back. The seat control means includes a seat guiding slot and a pin engaged'there'in, with the slot and pin providing a guiding interconnection between said portion of the seat and'frameQ The pinis disposed at the rearward end of the slot in the sitting position and moves toward the forward end thereof as the seat and back move into the reclining position, with the forward end of the slot being no lower than the rearward end thereof such that the conjoint effect of the forward and downward movement of the rear end of the seat and the guiding of said -in an .inclined slot 13, formed in 2 portion of the seat is to impart a prescribed inclining movement to the seat.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments of the invention and wherein:

Fig. l is a sectional view of one embodiment of the chair structure prior to upholstering and showing the seat in the fully lowered position,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the roller and slot mechanism when the seat is in the raised position,

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line Ill-lIl of Fig. l, and l Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing various "modifications which can be made to the structure shown in.

Figs. 1-3.

It is to be understood that the mechanism shown in the drawings is in practice duplicated, one set being provided at each side of the chair, but as the two mechanisms are similar only one set will need to be described.

and illustrated. Referring first to Figs.. l-3, the side and includes a fixed side rail 2, the side rail of the seat structure being indicated at.3 and.the side frame member of the movable chair back at 4. As shown, attached to the back frame member 4 adjacent its lower end is a metal strip 5, preferably of angle section, said strip being hingedly connected at its lower end by a pivot pin .6

to the rear end of a second metal strip 7 secured to the seat side rail 3. The pivot pin 6 projects iaterally and rides in an inclined slot '8 formed in a metal plate 9 secured to the fixed chair frame. At a point-spacedfrom the pin 6, the strip 5 carries a second-pin 10 which rides in a vertical slot 11 also formed in the plate-9 and preferably continuous with-the slot 8. With the chair back in the erect position and the seat fully lowered, the

pins are located at the upper ends of the respective slots.

as shown in Fig. 1 and thus, when the back is tilted rearwardly, it pivots around the pin 10 but, due to the inclination of the slot 8, there is also produced a downward movement of the chair back, the pins riding down their slots towards the position shown in Fig. 2. By

reason of the hinged connection, therefore, there is also produced a downward and forward movement of the rear end of the chair seat and, to secure the desired tilting movement of the seat, means are-provided which utilise this forward movement to effect a raising of the- One such means consists" of a front end of the seat. further pin 12 carried by the metal strip 7 and riding a plate 14 secured to the fixed-side rail 2. K I

It will be seen that with'the arrangement described,

the relative angular movements of the backand the seat are dependent upon the spacing of the pins 6 and 10' and of the pins 6 and 12 and also upon the angle of inclination of the slot 8, and by appropriate selection of these factors it is possible to secure any desired relative movement of the seat and back. 'In practice, .verysa'tis-fl. factory results have been-"obtainedwhere the pins 6* and 10 are spacedapproximately 3 inches apart, the pins 6 and 12 are spaced approximately 6 inches apart and the slot 8 is inclined at about 45 to the horizontal. The degree of lift at the front end of the seat is also' determined by the angle of the slot 13.

It will be observed that when the chair is in a 'reclining position, the weight of an occupant causes the pins 6 and 10 to exert a thrust against the rear walls of their respective slots 8, 11 and, where the pin and slot device 12, 14 is used, the pin 12 exerts a similar thrust against the lower wall of the associated slot 14." Thus I Patented Feb. 16, 19.60

there; is created" by the weightof the occupant a considerable frictional resistance. to movement of the seat and back and this frictional resistance is sufficient to retain the seat and back in any desired intermediate position of tilt thus obviating the need for special frictional or other lockingdevices, Where, however, the frictional. resistance of the pin to movement is excessive such; as to necessitate undue effort to adjust the seat and back, rollersmay be fitted over, the pins 6, and 12 as indicated at 6a, 10a and 12a to reduce the friction.

It willbesecn from the drawings that substantially the whole offlthe tiltcontrol mechanism. is contained within the depthof the seat member and the thickness of the back member thus leaving the space clear beneath the seat; Asa further aidto .hidingthemechanism, the chair seatisofsuchwidth as to. have a. relatively close. fit between the fixed side rails' and to permit this the following method of mountingthe. seat and the roller and slot mechanism '12, 13, 14' is-ernployed'. The strip. 7 is of angle section and one web thereof is received and secured within a longitudinal groove 16 cut in the under edge of the seat rail 3 whilst the other web' bears against said under edge. The plate 14 is relatively thin orit may be recessed intothe fixed side rail-2 as shown and is formed with aflange or wall 14a defining the, slot 13' and, providing an enlarged bearing surface for the roller-12a; A spacer 17 is interposed between the roller and the strip 7, the rail 3- being cut' away-locally as indicated at 18 to clear-the pin 12 and the spacer 17, whilst a; head 19 on the free endofthepin retains; the roller against displacement. Thus the roller andslot mechanism does not necessitate anyadditional clearance between the seatand the chair frame The method of constructing and mountingthe plate 9 may be similar to that of the plate 14 is'desired.

With the-construction as above described it is possible to co-relate the movements: of the chair back and chair seat in such; manner as to secure a balanced distribution oftheweight thereon inallpositions, the frictional loading of thepin, or'roller, and slot devices being sufficient to holdthe seat and back in any desired intermediateposition, Movementof the seat and back is limited by abutment ofone-or more-of the. pins 6, 10', 12 with the ends of-the respective slots 8, 11, 13' thus. obviating the need for stops in the chair frame structure whereby the mechanism-forms a: complete'entity. which functions with out"; the co-operation' of. any-other-chair components;

Thebasic structure as above described is capable of several modifications as willnow-be described with reference t-oFig; 4; Asshown, the slots '8, 11- and 13 may be formed' ina common'plate 20 and, if desired, the slotted plates 'atoppositesides of the chair may be rigidly. interconnected, for" example, by-cross webs 21 secured to or forr'ned'integral with the plates, thereby forming a onepiece-unit whichfacilitates installation in a chair frame.

The invention is also applicable to allemetal' chairs or chairs having a metal frame. In these instances, the=plate .20 may-constitute part ofthe metal sideframe. indicated inbroken lines at 22, that is, the slots: 8, 11 and 13 are formed directly in the sidexframe member,.which; member embodies-or'is provided with. legs 23 or equivalent supporting means.

A latitudeof modification, substitution andchange is; intended;..in the: foregoing. disclosure, and in some in? stances,- some featuresoff the: invention, will housed with: 111i at corresponding. use ofiother. features. Accordingly, it; is; appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent withthe spirit and scope of the disclosureherein.

I claim: a

1. A recliningchair comprising a frame, a back,.a seat pivotally. mounted at its rear end on said back adjacent the lower endthereof, said back and seat being adapted to move from a sitting position to a reclining position, and

meansfor mounting saidback and seat on saidframe for recliningand inclining movement respectively, the mounting means including upper and lower pins on said back withsaid upper pin. spaced from said lower pin, means providing a substantially vertical slot and a downwardly and forwardly extending inclined slot, said pins being guidingly engaged in said slots and being movable along said slots, the length of said slots and the spacing of said pins being selected relative to each other such that said upper pin is at the upper end of'saidv vertical slot and said lower pin is at the upper end of said inclined slot in said sitting position and such thatsaid upper-pin is at the lower end of said vertical slot and saidlower'pininatthe lower ends.

, in response, to reclining movementof said back;.and seat control means between a front portion of said seat and said frame for guidingsaid seat in response to said forward and downward movement of said back, said seat control means including a seat guiding slot and a pin engaged therein with saidseat guiding slot v and, aid pin providing a guiding interconnection. between said, fr.0.nt. portion of said seat and said frame, said pin. beingdis: posed at the rearward end of said seat guiding slot in said sitting position and moving towardthe forward end. there: of assaidj seat and back move intosaid.recliningposition said forward end of'said seat guiding slot. being no. lower; than the rearward end thereofsuch that the conjoint effect of said forward and downward movement, of. said. rear end of1saidseat and the guiding of said frontportien'ofi said: seat is to impart a prescribed inclining movementto. said seat.

2; A reclining chair comprising a frame, a back, a seat pivotally mounted at its rear end on said back-adjacent. the lower end thereof, saidback and seat being adaptedito move from a sitting position to a reclining position, and.

pin is at the upper end of said vertical slot and said" lower pin is at the upper end of said'inclined slot in said sitting position and such that said upper pin is at the. lower end of said vertical slot and said lower pin is at the lower end ofsaidinclinedslot in said reclining position,

said pins andslots" cooperating to provide a forward and downward; movement o-fboth said back' andsaid rear end" of said seat in response to reclining movement of'said; back, and seat control means between afront portion of said seat and saidframe for guiding'said seat in response to said forward and downward movement of said back-,' said seatcontrol means including aseat guiding-slot and aipin engaged therein with said seat guiding slot andpi'rr providing a guiding interconnection between said front portion of said seat and said frame, said pin being disposed at' the rearward end of said seat guiding slot in said sitting position and moving toward the forward end there of assaid seat and back move into said reclining position, said forward end of said seat guidingslot beingno lower.

than the rearward end thereof, such that thezconjoint:

effect of said. forward, and downward". movement of said rear end of said seat'and the. guiding of said" frontapon.

tion ofsaid seat is to impart a prescribed inclining'move} ment to said. scat, said pinson said. back normally bearing.

against the rear walls of the respective slots whereby,- under the imposed weightof an occupant of thechair; a: frictional resistanceis created between said pins and said rear walls tending to hold said seat and baclc in any position of adjustment established by the occupant of" the chair. I

(References on following page)" References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bennett June 28, 1904 Smith Dec. 21, 1937 5 Bell July 7, 1942 6 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1913 Great Britain 1913 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1952 Great Britain Aug. 10, 1937 France June 3, 1932 

